Com husking machine



(No Model.) 10 Sheets-sheet 1. P. D. CUMMINGS.

I CORN HUSKING MACHINE.

No. 350,620. Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

N. PETERS. P| oloLflhognphen Washmglon. n. c

(No Model.) 10 Sheetsw-Sheet 2.

P. D. CUMMINGS.

CORN HUSKING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

N. Penis, mammo ram. Washington. D. c.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets- -Shet3. Y

P. D. CUMMINGS.

GORN HUSKING MACHINE.

N0. 350,620. Patented Oct. 12,1886.

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N. PETERS, mwmw w. Washington. ac

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 5. P. D. CUMMINGS.

GORN HUSKING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

Inventor s.

(No Model.)

P. D. CUMMINGS.

10 Sheets-Sheet 6.

001m HUSKING MACHINE.

, Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

um m,

(No ModeL') 10 Sheets-Sheet 7.

P. D. CUMMINGS.

v 001m HUSKING MACHINE. No. 350,620. Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

zl/zftgg-s'sesk @Invenfor w 7 W %aa 401.

10 Sheets-Sheet 8. P. D. CUMMINGS.

CORN HUSKING MACHINE.

(No Model.)

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

Ham

(N0 Modl.)

10 Sheets-Sheet 9.

P. D. CUMMINGS.

00m: HUSKING MAGHINE.

Patented Oct. 12, 1886.

N. PETERS. PholoLMwgrzphur. Wuhiluginn. D.C.

1 S G N I M M U 0 D R 001m HUSKING MACHINE.

No. 350,620. Patented 0on2; 1886.

UNrTan STATE PATENT OFFICE.

PERLEY D. CUMMINGS, on PORTLAND, MAINE, Assrenoa o THE MAINE oonn HUSKING MACHINE COMPANY, or SAME PL'AOE.

CORN-HUSKING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 350,620, dated October 12, 1886.

Application filed May 2, 1883. Serial No. 93,684. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PERLEY D. CUMMINGS, of Portland, in the count-y of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corn-Husking Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, that will enable others skilled. in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a top plan of the machine. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the back of the machine. Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of the machine through the line 3 y of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail in secdetail showing the position of the rollers i, j,

' and it while the corn is being husked. Fig.

11 is an elevation of the back of. the machine, with guard A and apron B and part of table 15 removed. Fig. 12 is a section through g/y of Fig. 1. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section of the shaft I. Fig. 14 is a section of table 15, showing the. grooves in which the chains 1/ move. Fig. 15 is a side view of the cam don the shaft :0. Fig. 16 is a' detail showing the manner of connecting the rollers z andj with the shafts r and g, respectively, by means of the chains-2 My invention relates to improvements in machines for husking corn, being especially designed for husking corn in the green state.

It consists of a feeding device, a mechanism for cutting the butt from the ear, a mechanism for removing the husks, a mechanism for holding corn while being husked and discharging it after the operation, and means for cleaning the husking mechanism. At the back of the frame of the'machine is the shaft 6, carrying the fixed pulleys c anda and the pinion a. (See Figs. 2 and 11.) Above the shaft 6 is the shaftf, which is provided with the fixed pulleyd and gear g. (See Fig. 2.) Below the shaft 6, and somewhat in front of it, is another shaft, n, which has the fixed pulleys b and m. (See Figs. 2 and 11.) Power is applied by means of a belt, a, which passes under the loose pulley a (see Fig. 2) and pulley b, over the pulley d, and under the pulley c, as shown in Fig. 12.

The feeding mechanism consists of the table 15, endless chains u it, having fingers 'v o, and sprocket-wheels r and 3. (See Figs. 5and 9.)- The table 15 is placed at the front of the machine, with wings toward the rear of the machine, on either side, as shown in Fig. 1. Both the table and the side extensions or wings inv cline slightly upward. each wing hasa curvature downward, and at the rear of the curvature is provided with a series of three or more sharp projections, 40 40 40, extending about one-tenth of an inch above the surface of the table or wing, and inclined thereto at an angle of about twenty five degrees. (See Figs. 5 and 9.). In parallel grooves 0 in the table move the endless chains u at, having at regular and equal intervals the'rigid fingers 12 v. (See Fig. 5.)

The rearward part of The openings 0 extend from the rear end of the wings to the front of the table, and are at right angles with all the main shafts of the machine. (See Fig. 1.), The chains u to pass around the sprocketwheels r and s. The sprocket s rotates freely upon the shaft it, while the sprocket r is fixed upon the shaft :1", which is rotated by a chain passing over two other sprocket-wheels, 17 and o, the former being fixed upon the shaft 0, and the latter upon shaft x. The wheel 0is rotated by means of an endless chain, 19, and the gear 18,which matches the pinion (1 upon the shaft 6. Figs. 2, 3, and 6.)

Upon the shaft a: (see Fig. 12) is the cam n, in which plays the upper end of the arm 0.

(See

The slotin which the arm 0 plays consists of five slightly irregular sides, the ends of each side being deflected toward the circumference of the wheel, thus forming an acute angle, as shown'in Fig. 12. The arm 0 has the yoke p", which engages with the shaft 00, as seen in Fig. 12, while its lower end is pivoted to the ICO short arm 1), which is fixed to the shaft Z for one side of the machine. and Z for the other side. which is parallel with and beneath the shaft :17. Fixed also to the shaftlare the arms q q, the upper ends of which pass through openings 0' in the table 15. This shaft Z is a sleeve-shaft, and is so constructed that when either of its ends is moved forward by the action of the arms 0 in the cam n the other end will remain stationary. thus allowing the two sides of the machine to husk alternately, and requiring less power than if the two sides hushed at the same instant. The openings 0 extend from the rear edges of the wings of the table forward nearly the whole extent of the curvature of the wings, and are parallel with the openings 0 (See Fig. 1.) Above the table, and fixed to theframe of the machine. is the rod 22, (see Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 11,)extending the width of the table. and at right angles to the openings o From the rod depend the springs 1a, which extend rearward to the inner edges of the wings of the table 15. These springs are parallel, and are so placed as to be suspended, respectively, over and above those portions of the table and wings which lie be tween the openings 0 and o. The springs 10 w conform generally to the line of the table, having at their depressed rear ends the rollers w":v:rw. (See Fig.5.) Other springs, 1616, also, are attached to the rod 22, preferably one between each adjacent two springs w, and midway between them. These springs 16 16 curve toward the table near the front edge of the knife 12, and should be made of somewhat more flexible material than the springs 20 w. The shaft w, upon which is the knife 12, is rotated by means ofa belt, b (see Figs. 4 and 12,) which passes around the pulley a on the shalt 6, (see Figs. 2 and 12,) between and in contact with the loose pulley 10 and the pulleys tand 11, over the loose pulley o, around the pulley s on the shaft in, over the pu'lleyst and a, and under the loose pulley 8. (See Fig. 4.) The knife 12 is fixed, to the extremity of the shaft 10, and inclosed in the guard 2, (see Fi 3,) and located at the edge of the wing of the table 15 which is next the center of the machine. The gear 9 matches a pinion, 12 on the shaft 3. (See Fig. 8.) This shaft 3 extends toward the outer side of the machine, and has at its outer extremity the small gear 5, which intermatchcs with another gear, (3, of the same diameter, upon the end of the shaft 4:, which shaft is parallel and in the same horizontal plane with the shaft 3. (See Fig. 8.) The journals of the shaft 4 are movable, their movements being controlled by the springs 7, which are secured to the frame of the machine by the screws 8, while the amount of movement of said springs 7 is regulated by the setsorews 9. (See Figs. 6, S, 9.)

Upon the shafts 3 and 4, and just inside the gears 5 and (5, are fixed the nippers 9 and 10, respectively. (See Figs. 5, 6, 8, and 9.) The method of constructing these nippers is seen in Fig. 7. l is the body of the nippers, having at regular intervals the five dovetailed openings 2" 2". 3 3 are slides of metal, prepared to fit the openings 2 2, to which are attached the rubber lingers 4. a by means of tacks or nails clinched into the grooves in the slides. The body of the nippers is not circular, but from and between each point 5.5? to each point the eireun'iterence gradually draws nearer the center of the body, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus. constructed, the free end of each finger, when compressed, will be slightly above the level of the base or fixed end of the adjacent finger, and their point of contact will be the point of seizure of the hush. The construction of the nippers as described brings the point of seizure above the center of the body, and thus insures the greatest efficiency in husking.

The mechanism for holding the ear of corn in contact with the nippers while being husked is seen in Figs. 5, 9, and 10. It consists of the rollers '11, j, and lo, the two latter being hung in a frame, the cam 17/, the arm 6, with the rod 2', sleeve f, arm It, arm in, and SPl'lllL y. These rollers i and j have in-. serted in them at regular intervals strips of rubber, leather, or other suitable material, which protrude about one-eighth of an inch beyond the surface of the rollers, and serve to turn the car over and over between the rollers while being husked, so that every portion may be subjected to the action-of the nippers.

Attached to or a part of theframe of the ma chine is the frame 5', having vertical slots (5 6. (See Fi 6.) The centers of these slots are respectively slightly to the back of the shafts 3 and 4. In these slots are placed the shafts carrying the'rollers t and j. Rods lare rigidly attached at their lower ends to both ends of each of the journals of the shafts of the rollers i and j. The upper ends of these rods pass through apertures in the top of the frame 5. (See Figs. 1 and 6.) A coitspring, M, I surrounds each of the rods Z Z. Motion is communicated to the rollers iand j from the shafts rand q (see Figs. 1 and 4) by means of chains 2'2, (see Figs. 2 and 1.6,) which'con meet the ends of the shafts r and q with the ends I .of the shafts of the rollers i and j, respectively. The chains 2 2 act as a universal joint, and permit the rollers i and j, while revolving, to move up and down freely and adjust themselves to the size of the different cars of com. I Any other form of universaljoiut may be substituted for the chains.

Pivoted upon the shaft of the roller j, and between each end of the roller j and the frame 5, are the bifurcated levers z z, theirinner or I upper ends being prolonged, so that they may rest upon the shaft of the roller 'i'when depressed. (S'ee Figs. 9 and 5 and dotted lines in Fig. 6.) Mounted in the front ends of the bifurcation is the loose roller K. The rear I ends of the upper parts of the bifurcations are connected by the rod K, which, forming a. right angle, is pivoted to the arm. 71,, which a continuation at right angles of the sleevef'.

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(See Figs. 6 and 9.) The s eeve f plays upon the rod i, which is surrounded by the spring 3 and is pivoted to the upper end of the lever 6. The lower end of the lever e is pi voted to the frame of the machine, and has, somewhat below the center of the length, the projection B, which engages the cam d upon the shaft X. (See Figs. 6, 9, and 15.)

The cleaning device consists of cylinders c and 0, having fingers inserted in them, substantially like the rollers c and j, except that the fingers are metallic and slightly sharper. (See Fig. 5.) These cylinders c and c are rotated upon the shafts 0 and 19, (see Fig. 6,) and each of them has a friction-pulley, by means of which motion is communicated to the shaft 0 from the shaft 19, which is rotated by a belt, 0 from the pulley in. (See Fig. 4.) The position of the shafts carrying the cleaning de vice or mechanism is such that the ends of its fingers will come in contact with the ends of fingers 4. (See Fig. 6.)

In Figs. 2 and 9 are shown three or more wires, 30 30 30,, which extend downward beside the table 15and just in front of the nippers. The object ofthese wires is to prevent any portion of the husks from passing between the gears of the nippers.

In the drawings the machine is shown double, most of the parts being in duplicate; but the description has been mainly confined to a single machine.

The front of the table 15 is provided with a guard, A, for the double purpose of protecting the hands and clothing of the operator and of preventing the ears of corn from falling from the table. 'In the rear of the tableau apron, B extends downward from near the shaft 10, for the purpose of preventing any falling ears of corn from coming in contact with the parts of the machine. (See Figs. 1 and 4.)

At the rear of the machine, and beneath the mechanism for husking and discharging the corn, is an inclined apron, 24, upon which the corn may slide into the receptacle provided.

In operation the ears of corn are placed upon the center of the table, and as they slide under the guard A an ear is selected and moved by the hand of the operator along the guard until the line between the butt and the kernels is on the line of the knife 12. Thence it is carried between the fingers o i) on the chains a over the table to the nippers. As it approaches the knife 12, it passes under the springs 16 and w, the former holding it while the butt is removed, the latter controlling its movement untilit has passed down the incline of the table. When it has reached the last of the rollers 02 00,the arms q move from under the table and force the ear over the projections .40 40 40, (see Fig. 9,) which slightly abrade the husk against the rollert' and the nipper beneath it, whence, by force of the arms qand the revolutions of the roller and nipper,

it is carried between them and against the roller 70. Meantime the arms q return beneath the table. The springs M and the chains 2 In like manner the rollcrj risi s, but not to the same degree. While the ear is subjected to the operation of huski11g,the revolutions of the rear nipper. 9, and of the rollers 13 andj force the ear against the roller k, which is kept in position against the car by the pressure of the cam d against the lever 6. (See Fig; 9.) After several revolutions of the ear and the removalof the husks by the nippers the revolutions of the cam dtorce the arm 6 toward the front of the machine, thus raising the bifurcated ends of the levers z, the inner or upper ends of which are forced down upon the shaft of the roller 1', which acts as a fulcrum. rollers j and k are thus raised, and, the opposition of the roller being removed, the ear is forced out over the apron 24 into the proper receptacle. The cam releasing the lever e, the rollers j and 7c resuuietheir former position, and are re idy to receive the next ear, which is now ready to pass under the roller 2'. The continued revolutions of the cleaning-cylinders c a keep the nippers free from pieces of husks that would otherwise adhere to them. The movable journals of the nipper l0 allow the husks to pass freely between the nippers, while the springs 7, their tension being adjusted by the set-screws 9. tend to-keep them continually in contact. The spring 9 should be of such strength that when a large ear is r to be discharged the sleeve will not slip upon the rod t. The action of this spring may be supplemented by a rod passing from the sleevef, to which it is rigidly attached, to the upper side of the shaft of the roller 11.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination of the table 15, sprocket-wheels s r, chains It, provided with fingers v, and springs to, conforming to the line of the table and provided with the rollers 00,

substantially as described. 2. The combination of the table 15, sprock et-wheels s r, chains to, provided with fingers o, springs 7.0, conforming to the line of 5 the table and provided with the rollers 00, and arms q, operated substantially as described. v

3. Thecombina'tion of the arms (1, shaft Z, arm 1), arm 0, with yoke 19, shaft 00, and cam a, substantially as described, for the purposes 1 set forth.

4. The combination of the nippers 3 4with the rollers 13, j, and k, as described.

5. The combination of the arms q, table 15,, nippers 3 l, and rollers i, j, and It, all operated as described, for the purposes set forth.

6. The combination of the base or body 1, having the grooves 2 2 pieces 3 3, and elastic fingers 4 4, as described. r

7. In combination with a rotary device for removing the husks from corn, the rollers t, j, and 70, frame 5, provided with slots 6, springs M, bifurcated lever z, right-angled rod is, sleeve f, with arm h, rod 1, spring g, arm 6, and cam d, substantially as described.

8. The combination, in a machine for husking corn, of the rotary nippers 9 and 10, and the cleaning devices 0 0', arranged beneath said nippers for freeing them from husks and silks, substantially as described.

9. In a machine for husking com, the combination of the nippers 9 and 10, the rollers i, j, and la, and frame 5, formed with slots 6, with mechanism for holding down the roller is and raising the same, substantially as de scribed.

10. The combination of the pulley a, shaft *5 a, pulley b,shaft f, pulley d, shaft (2, pulley a, pulley 0/, shafts q and 1-, pulleys t and u, rollers s, 10, and 'v, shaft w, pulley s, pinion a, gear 18, sprocket-wheel r, endless chain 19, sprocket-wheel 17, and shaft on, substan- 2o Witnesses:

WILLIAM T. SMITH, WILLIAM H. MASSEY. 

